A Day in Chicago

A few weeks ago, I ventured into the city by train to meet a friend from out of town. This particular trip downtown was remarkably eventful - though, perhaps not by the generally accepted view of things. First off, I met a lovely lady at the train station who was traveling to San Antonio and we had a delightful conversation about Texas until the train arrived.

The train ride was over an hour long, so of course I brought along a good book: Chesterton's 'ManAlive,' which kept me in good spirits. A few sights along the way, however, made me smile. Once, I happened to look up to see the most beautiful woods outside the train window, and another time we passed by a chocolate factory, too!

Once the train arrived in Union station, I decided immediately to go up the 'down' escalators (which is more difficult than it seems) which made a short Hispanic man laugh.

As my friend hadn't arrived yet, I watched, fascinated, as two cranes were being maneuvered into place below a bridge on the Chicago River. I contemplated jumping in...  But instead, I went back into the station and bought the absolute worst cup of coffee I have ever tasted (besides day old 7-Eleven coffee).

I then ventured into the old part of the station and sat there gazing at how beautiful it was. I also happened to notice a little old lady checking for chin hairs in her compact.

Tired of sitting still, I walked to Old St. Pat's all by myself, without getting lost. And -- it was open! So I went in to pray.

After I came out, I donated to two little girls who were collecting money for Misericordia. They gave me two little bags of Jelly Bellys and ran back to their teacher shouting "We did it! We did it!" which made me smile.

I waited in a park across from Old St. Pat's and continued reading 'ManAlive,' perfectly content. It occurred to me then that more credence should be given to the song 'If You're Happy and You Know It.' It really is quite profound.

All this happened before noon, so you can imagine what the rest of the day was like. In short, I met Ryan on a street corner, and sang the 'Regina Caeli' right there, as it was time. We took a bus south to get to the Rockefeller Center Chapel on the U of Chicago campus, explored it all around and inside, took a look at the organ, climbed into the choir loft and sang the Solemn Salve Regina.

We took a tour in the Robie house, which had been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and then stalked a man we both recognized but didn't know as he came out of the Lumen Christi Institute house next door.

We wandered the campus for a while, and then toured the south side unintentionally while trying to find a good place to eat. Upon being disappointed in our search, we walked several blocks, and I went for my very first ride on the El!

Once back in town, we went to 'The Elephant and Castle' and had fish n' chips, a right proper British supper. Then we went to a little cafe for dessert: chocolate raspberry mousse cake!

Then, the time came for the crowning event of the day- the opera 'Teseo' being performed at the Harris Theatre by the Chicago Opera Theatre group. It was indescribably lovely, and I'm going to ask my voice teacher to allow me to sing Agilea's aria begging that her eyes be opened.

All too soon, it was over, and we discovered that it was too late to catch the last train back to the station where my car was, and that there was an hour before the next train that would bring me somewhat close to my house. So, after a subway surfing ride, Ryan and I sat on the floor in Union Station and watched amusing videos on YouTube until the train was to leave.

I slept a little on the ride home, and then had a good conversation with the conductor, even though we were interrupted at every stop when he had to go and open the doors.

My loving sister had the kindness to get up at 2:00 AM to come and pick me up, and even went so far as to drive me to pick up my car so that I could have it ready in the morning.

All in all, it was an fantastic day, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will have many fun and amusing memories to look back on!